New Thing
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Do not remember the former things,
or consider the things of old.I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?-Isaiah 43:18-19
The world is always changing and always has. However, in the last few years, it seems things are changing more rapidly than ever, and not always in a comfortable way. I think everyone , individuals as well as businesses, groups and institutions are all grappling with finding new ways to address our many changing realities. I mean, look at the church. Who would have thought just a few years ago that our average Sunday attendance in the church itself would be about half what it was before the pandemic, and that not only would our Sunday service be available online, but we’d have three other online worshiping communities in the morning, noon and bedtime, each getting hundreds of views in the course of a week?
The other day as I sat in city hall listening to people testify about the reality of poverty and homelessness in Keene, I realized that our city government also needs to grapple with change in new ways. The “way we’ve always done it” is leaving gaps that need to be addressed in new ways, probably in a lot of areas, but definitely in homelessness and affordable housing. It’s time for some out of the box thinking, and some out of the box listening for possible new ways to go.
As much as we don’t love change, we know it is a part of every life, and it is also a part of our faith. God is always doing a new thing, and if we’re not listening, we might miss it! God is always up to something, and people of faith need to do our best to keep our radar on and be listening to what we’re being called to do - and to do our best to keep up with God’s call!
I invite you to come to church this Sunday and listen to Angela Pape, the community organizer with the Monadnock Interfaith Project. MIP is working on a new Affordable Housing Trust Fund in Keene. She will speak in church and also be available afterward to answer any of your questions during the social hour. Hope to see you there!
